About Nyeri County Referral Hospital

A Brief History

Nyeri County Referral Hospital traces its origins back to the early 1930s, when it was established as a military facility under the name Regional Native Hospital. Located approximately half a kilometer east of Nyeri Town in Majengo Sub-location, Mukaro Location, the hospital stands on a 27-acre parcel believed to have been donated by Paramount Chief Nderi.

In its early years, patient registration was segregated by race. With growing demand for services, a maternity wing named JNC was introduced and inaugurated on July 5th by His Excellency Philip Mitchell, then Governor of the Kenya Colony.

Major expansion occurred in 1969 with the opening of a new Outpatient Department block by Kenya’s first President, H.E. Mzee Jomo Kenyatta. This marked the beginning of standardized and inclusive patient care.

In 1982, further modernization was spearheaded by President Daniel T. Arap Moi, who opened the current Outpatient Department complete with a laboratory, pharmacy, and dental unit. The maternity ward was also expanded to serve the growing population.

In 2001, the hospital converted its Isolation Ward into a modern Amenity Ward, further enhancing patient services.

Present-Day Services

Today, Nyeri County Referral Hospital serves as the primary referral center in Nyeri County, offering a wide range of medical and consultative services, including Maternal and Child Health (MCH), Family Planning (FP), curative care, and outpatient counseling.

Facilities & Departments

• 15 Wards, including Maternity, Male & Female Medical, Paediatric, Surgical (2), Eye Ward, Obstetric/Gynecological, ICU, Mental Health Unit, and 2 Operating Theatres
• Specialized Units: Orthopaedics, Radiology (X-Ray), ENT, Chest, Physiotherapy, Nutrition, Occupational Therapy, Health Information Systems
• Outpatient Department: Pharmacy, Dental Unit, Youth Clinic, Casualty Ward, Injection Room, and MCH/FP Clinic

The hospital has an authorized bed capacity of 327 beds and 57 cots, with an average occupancy rate of 108.2%, underscoring its essential role in regional healthcare.